For Maria Arcieri, a challenge from a high school classmate was all it took to change her career path from cosmetology to automotive technology. Today, the 19-year-old is pursuing her dream at Central Maine Community College in Auburn, Maine, while working as a lube technician for Jack Madden Ford in Norwood, Massachusetts.

Read on to learn how the 2025 Bring Back the Trades (BBTT) Scholarship winner is building a career in the industry — and how she hopes to one day inspire the next generation to do the same.

RUGGED: How were you introduced to the skilled trades? 

Arcieri: My dad does a little bit of everything. He was a mechanic for awhile and does construction and masonry. So, I would work with him on his truck here and there and help him with some landscaping jobs. But when I started going to a vocational high school — Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton, Massachusetts — that was when I really became exposed to the trades. 

What trade did you first start studying? 

I started attending Blue Hills to be a cosmetologist, but then I stepped into the mechanic shop. Somebody said to me, “Oh, you’re a girl. You can’t do this.” It just made me want to prove them wrong; I decided, “I want to do this now.” It was a big jump, obviously, going from hairdressing and cosmetology to being a mechanic. But I just found out that I liked it more, because you get to learn new things every day.

Now, you’re attending Central Maine Community College. What does a typical day of school look like? 

Lecture is from 8 to 10 a.m., and afterward we go into the shop for a little bit, have a break for lunch and then finish up whatever we were working on for the day. School technically lasts until 4 p.m., but we can get out around 2 or 3 p.m. if we finish our work early. 

What’s your favorite part of school?

They let us bring in our own cars and stuff to work on. We just did our engine class, and I brought my dad’s truck. He had 380,000 miles on it, so we rebuilt the motor. It’s nice that they allow us to bring in our own stuff to work on because we’re not just learning about the specific models of cars they have in the shop. 

I know you’re also working after school. Can you tell us more about your job? 

I work at Jack Madden Ford. I’m a lube technician right now, but they also give me a bunch of things to do so I’m able to learn more. It’s mainly oil changes, brakes, general services — things like that. Sometimes I’ll get check-engine or other types of lights to diagnose.

When you think about your future in the trades, what are you most excited about?

The program I’m in helps me get a lot of my Ford certifications. One of the other guys in my shop went through the same program; he’s 23 and just got a Senior Master designation because he kept up with the certifications. So I should be able to become a Senior Master by 23 as well, which doesn’t typically happen.

I also like to think about going back to my high school to teach when I’m a little older and have a lot more experience, just because my teachers had a really big impact on me.

How did you hear about the BBTT Scholarship?

My mom was really on me about applying for scholarships in high school, and that was one of the ones I came across. So, I applied to it twice, and last year during the fall, I learned that BBTT chose me as a winner of a $2,500 scholarship. 

What was it like receiving the BBTT Scholarship and how did it change your life?

It was really nice to get the scholarship during the Skills Expo at Gillette Stadium and to see other kids talk about getting into the trades. I feel it was really motivating for a lot of kids. 

The scholarship has helped me out a lot because my work helps pay for school, but not all of it. So, it falls onto my parents and me to pay for the rest. I also have to live at school; I’m from Randolph, Massachusetts, and the only states that offer my program are New Hampshire and Maine. I chose Central Maine Community College because the campus has dorms, so the scholarship has helped me a lot with being able to pay for housing. 

Do you have any thoughts on how the industry can better recruit and retain the next generation of tradespeople? 

Honestly, I would say offering more class options for the trades in high schools instead of specifically having to go to a vocational high school. I know a bunch of people who went to a Catholic high school, for example. They didn’t have the same opportunities I had — they graduated high school and had no idea what they wanted to do, and I already had a good job set up for me.

Is there anything from your personal life you’d like to highlight? 

I’d like to acknowledge both of my parents. My dad has been one of my biggest supporters. If I’m not at school or work, he’s calling me to go look at his truck.